Monopoly wiseguise
Protester photobombs Equifax hearing
Rich Uncle Pennybags photo-bombed the beleaguered former CEO of Equifax at a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
A woman dressed as the Monopoly mascot appeared just over Richard Smith’s shoulder as he testified before the Senate Banking Committee investigating the breach that exposed the personal data of 145 million Americans.
Dressed in a morning suit, top hat and bow tie, the protester twirled a fake gray mustache as Smith spoke, apparently unaware that she was even there.
Afterward, when she approached and tried to hand Smith a bag of fake money, he hurried off.
Public Citizen, an advocacy group that monitors government accountability, claimed responsibility for the stunt.
The Monopoly “man” turned out to be Amanda Werner, who also handed out Monopoly-style “Get out of jail free” cards to protest plans she says weaken protections for consumers seeking action against banks and financial institutions.
During Wednesday’s hearing, lawmakers expressed bewilderment at the IRS’s award of a $7.25 million contract to Equifax for taxpayer and personal-identity verification services.
“Why in the world should you get a no-bid contract right now?” Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) asked Smith.
Sasse’s indignation was soon topped by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who said, “You realize, to many Americans right now, that looks like we’re giving Lindsay Lohan the keys to the minibar.”
“I understand your point,” Smith said in response to Kennedy’s reference to the actress who has struggled with drugs and alcohol.
Smith said he didn’t know many details about the IRS contract, but noted it was for work the creditreporting company had done in the past for the agency, and he thought the contract was being renewed.
The IRS issued a statement saying Equifax advised the agency that no IRS data was involved in the breach.
The statement confirmed that Equifax’s contract had been renewed to prevent a lapse in service, and indicated that it was just a stopgap measure until it changed vendors.
“Following an internal review and an on-site visit with Equifax, the IRS believes the service Equifax provided does not pose a risk to IRS data or systems,” the statement read.
Smith was Equifax’s CEO for a dozen years. He resigned after the breach was announced.